Home » Aptitude » Pipes and Cistern

Pipes A, B, C fill a tank in 30, 20, and 10 minutes. All are opened for 3 minutes into an empty tank. A, B, C deliver solutions P, Q, R respectively. What fraction of the tank's liquid is solution R after 3 minutes?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 6/11

Explanation:

Problem restatement
Each pipe pours its own solution; find R's proportion after 3 minutes of simultaneous inflow.


Given data

  • A rate = 1/30 per min ⇒ 3 min gives 1/10 tank of P
  • B rate = 1/20 per min ⇒ 3 min gives 3/20 tank of Q
  • C rate = 1/10 per min ⇒ 3 min gives 3/10 tank of R

Concept/Approach
Proportion of R = (volume from C) / (total volume after 3 min). No mixing losses.


Step-by-step calculation
Total filled = 1/10 + 3/20 + 3/10 = 2/20 + 3/20 + 6/20 = 11/20R contributed = 3/10 = 6/20Proportion R = (6/20) / (11/20) = 6/11


Common pitfalls
Dividing C's rate by total rates, instead of using 3-minute volumes.


Final Answer
6/11

← Previous Question Next Question→

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion